The Climate Question

Europe is reeling from a record-breaking drought which has closed nuclear power stations, stopped river traffic and sent food prices soaring. And there may now be more intense droughts in some parts of the world because of climate change.
Our host Graihagh Jackson explores solutions from water usage apps in South Africa to solar irrigation systems in Egypt. She also looks at the challenges of adapting our energy infrastructure for a warming planet.
Her guests are Dr Iain Staffell, Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, and Dr Vidhisha Samarasekara, Strategic Program Director for Water, Climate Change and Resilience at the International Water Management Institute.
Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Picture Credit: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull
Editor: Simon Watts

African forests are vital for food and economic development, as well as for supporting millions of species of animals and plants. We find out how to protect them better with one of Africa’s top environmentalists!
From the giant Congo rainforest to the Kenyan highlands and the mangroves of Mozambique, Africa’s forests are some of the most spectacular places on Earth. And these sensitive ecosystems are not just important for Africa: they play a vital role in the global climate because they store huge amounts of carbon dioxide and pump out oxygen.
Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai has been campaigning to protect and nurture forests for decades. She tells The Climate Question about the challenges they now face across Africa from rapid urbanisation, mining and logging. The solution, according to Wanjira, is to place a proper economic value on the environmental services provided by forests and the communities who live in them – whether that’s supplying water and food, or helping to prevent floods sweeping through cities such as Nairobi.

Wanjira Mathai is Managing Director, Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute. She’s been chatting to The Climate
Question host Jordan Dunbar and BBC Senior Climate Reporter Esme Stallard.
Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Experts say we may now need to spend more on cooling our homes than heating them because of climate change. In fact, the International Energy Agency thinks the equivalent of 10 new air conditioners every second will be installed for the next 30 years!
This surge in air con will put strain on the world’s electricity grids, which are still mostly powered by fossil fuels. The units also pump heat into the streets outside our homes – making cities feel even hotter when we step outside.
But there are alternative options – like redesigning houses to include more shading and increase the air flow, or using fans and misting systems. We could also plant more trees or even change the colours of our homes to reflect more sunlight!
In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Graihagh Jackson talks to BBC Tokyo Correspondent, Kurumi Mori, and Radhika Khosla, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Oxford.
Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Ricardo McCarthy
Editor: Simon Watts

Huge wildfires have been sweeping across Southern Europe and North America. Is climate change increasing the risk? And what can we do?
Weather experts say the world is starting to see new types of wildfire – including enormous Pyrocumulonimbus fire clouds that spit lightning and black hail.
These infernos can burn for more than a year. They can also spawn fire tornadoes, which move at more than 200 kilometres an hour, destroying everything in their path.
The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to John Vaillant, the author of “Fire Weather”, about how wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency, and how they are burning in places they have never burned before.
Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Producers: Simon Watts, Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dafydd Evans
Editor: Simon Watts

Graihagh Jackson talks to mothers from India, Kenya and the UK about how climate change is affecting women's decisions about whether to have children and how to raise them.
Her guests are Bhavreen Kandhari, a clean air campaigner from Delhi; Dr Susan Chomba, a Kenyan forest scientist and environmentalist; and Dr Elizabeth Cripps, a political philosopher specializing in climate justice. This programme was first broadcast in 2025.
Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Produced and presented by Graihagh Jackson
Sound mix: Tom Brignell and Neil Churchill
Editor: Simon Watts